5 Foods That Fight Air Pollution You Need To Add To Your Diet

Air pollution is unfortunately a part of people’s lives in more and more regions of the world. The people of Delhi face a deadly smog every winter. On the 7th November 2017, the government declared a pollution emergency. Air pollution can lead to some deadly diseases over time. One of the easy yet powerful ways to deal with it is adding foods that fight air pollution to your daily diet.

5 Foods That Fight Air Pollution You Need To Add To Your Diet

1. Ginger

Ginger has long been used as an immunity boosting herb and a remedy for respiratory conditions. It’s an excellent food for when you’re down with cold and cough. Studies confirm that it has potent anti-inflammatory properties, and that it helps decongest the chest. When you’re in a polluted place, keep ginger handy. You can add it to your food or drink ginger tea. Add a tablespoon of grated ginger to 1.5 cups of water, bring it to a boil, simmer for 10 minutes and drink it fresh. But please take note of these ginger side effects.

2. Sources Of Magnesium

Load up on foods rich in magnesium. This mineral is essential for giving your immunity a much-needed boost when your body has to fight air pollution. It has been found to soothe the lungs and release strain that they might undergo as a result of smog. Also, magnesium deficiency tends to be quite common. So if you live in a polluted area, please ask your doctor if you should check your magnesium levels. Some sources of this mineral are: almonds, cashews, avocado, spinach, and pumpkin seeds.

3. Omega-3 Rich Food

Studies have also found that Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the effects of air pollution. That’s because they fight inflammation as well as damage from free radicals. Omega-3 fatty acids protect your cardiovascular system from the ill effects of air pollution. And don’t worry, being vegan doesn’t mean you won’t get enough of it. Some of the best sources include flaxseeds, chia seeds, beans, berries, and leafy greens.

4. Vitamin C

One of the most popular antioxidants, vitamin C goes a long way in boosting your immunity when you’re battling air pollution. This nutrient has been found to promote repair in the body, reduce free radical damage, and help your body recover from exposure to particulate matter – a deadly pollutant. And it’s important to include it in your daily diet since vitamin C is a water soluble nutrient. In other words, your body cannot store it, so you need to maintain its levels constantly. Get your vitamin C from foods like kiwi, amla (Indian gooseberry), lemon, oranges, broccoli, kale, tomatoes, and strawberries.

5. Lime and Honey

Lime and honey are two powerful Ayurvedic ingredients that have long been used to successfully treat respiratory conditions. Honey has potent antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. And lemon is rich in antioxidants like vitamin A, C and E. It is wonderful for flushing toxins out of your system. Together, they can strengthen your body and fight the effects of air pollution. And if you’re down with a cold and cough, they both can provide you with immense relief as well as speed up healing. You can drink honey lemon tea everyday. Warm up a cup of water, add half a lemon’s juice and a teaspoon of honey. Drink warm thrice a day. Skip the honey if you are diabetic.

Everybody deserves to know about foods that fight air pollution, so that they can protect themselves from its deadly effects. Go ahead and share this with your loved ones.

This article is solely for the purpose of imparting information. Please do not substitute it for professional medical advice. Before using anything as a medicine, always consult your doctor.